When I arrived at Lara's house, Winston looked very stony-faced as he opened to door, more stony-faced than usual. I also saw something in his eyes. I thought it was sadness.
I also saw Father Patrick, Lara's old priest, standing behind him.
'Is there anything wrong?' I asked.
'Dear Hermione, I have terrible news,' Father Patrick said.
'What is it, Father?'
'I'm afraid Lara has passed away.'
I was in complete shock. I couldn't speak properly.
'What? When? Why?' I was blabbering.
Father Patrick took me into the Trophy Room and sat me down. As he spoke, he held my hand.
'A few days after you left for Egypt, some of Lara's internal injuries re-opened without the doctors realising. Before they could operate on her, it was too late.'
'Oh my God. What was the date that day?'
'The 15th.'
'That was the day I left for the Pyramid. And that was also the day that...' I knew something important had also happened on that day, but I couldn't remember what. Then, I suddenly remembered.
'It was the day that Richard died.'
Father Patrick shook his head sadly. 'I knew Richard well. It was such a shame. He and Lara were soulmates.'
I looked over to the photos of them together on the sideboard. There were two different ones, one taken when they were at school, and one taken a year later.
The first was of them in their separate school uniforms, Lara in pigtails even though she was about 19 at the time. Richard stood behind her and held her around the waist. They looked blissfully happy.
The second one was taken the next winter, them standing outside the Croft Manor in a similar pose, dressed in snow gear. It was just before the fateful trip.
I sighed at the happy pictures. 'At least they're together now.'
I walked over to the centre of the room, where four trophy cases sat on pedestals. One was empty.
I opened the case and put the Scion safely back inside.
'This is for you, Lara,' I whispered.
I also saw Father Patrick, Lara's old priest, standing behind him.
'Is there anything wrong?' I asked.
'Dear Hermione, I have terrible news,' Father Patrick said.
'What is it, Father?'
'I'm afraid Lara has passed away.'
I was in complete shock. I couldn't speak properly.
'What? When? Why?' I was blabbering.
Father Patrick took me into the Trophy Room and sat me down. As he spoke, he held my hand.
'A few days after you left for Egypt, some of Lara's internal injuries re-opened without the doctors realising. Before they could operate on her, it was too late.'
'Oh my God. What was the date that day?'
'The 15th.'
'That was the day I left for the Pyramid. And that was also the day that...' I knew something important had also happened on that day, but I couldn't remember what. Then, I suddenly remembered.
'It was the day that Richard died.'
Father Patrick shook his head sadly. 'I knew Richard well. It was such a shame. He and Lara were soulmates.'
I looked over to the photos of them together on the sideboard. There were two different ones, one taken when they were at school, and one taken a year later.
The first was of them in their separate school uniforms, Lara in pigtails even though she was about 19 at the time. Richard stood behind her and held her around the waist. They looked blissfully happy.
The second one was taken the next winter, them standing outside the Croft Manor in a similar pose, dressed in snow gear. It was just before the fateful trip.
I sighed at the happy pictures. 'At least they're together now.'
I walked over to the centre of the room, where four trophy cases sat on pedestals. One was empty.
I opened the case and put the Scion safely back inside.
'This is for you, Lara,' I whispered.